The Minister of State, with responsibility for Drugs Strategy, Róisín Shortall T.D., announced today (Tuesday, 1 Nov) that the Government has approved an Order declaring a further range of “legal highs” to be controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Acts.

In May 2010, approximately 200 substances were placed under the control of under the Misuse of Drugs Acts. In August 2010 the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010 made it a criminal offence to sell substances which have psychoactive effects. Due to these concerted legislative actions, there has been a significant reduction in the number of headshops operating throughout the country, from over 100 to approximately 10.

“These new substances are dangerous and pose significant health risks for people who use them” the Minister said. “The Government has now brought under control another 60 substances approximately. This would not have been possible without the close working between my Department and other statutory and non-statutory bodies, as well as individual experts in this field.” she added.

Background
* Further cathinone substances (further substances similar to mephedrone (Meow) which was controlled in May 2010);
* naphthylpyrovalerone and related substances (e.g. the legal high product Pure NRG);
* further synthetic cannabis-type substances (often sold as SPICE smoking mixtures);
* dimethocaine and desethyl dimethocaine (contained in the legal high products Amplified and MindMelt);
* desoxypipradol (found in the legal high product WHACK);
* aminotetralins and aminoindans (e.g. the legal high product Pink Champagne);
* fluorotropacocaine (also found in the legal high product WHACK);
* bromodragonFLY;
* salvinorin A found in the plant Salvia divinorum;
* mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine found in the plant known as Kratom.